#dante.kaleb

[riiseandfall]

@rebellicnrising

there was a bark of laughter when dante's scored was revealed -- an honest to god laugh at that number that was so damning. a perfect score. there was a time when dante would have felt nothing but pride at seeing that twelve next to his face. but that was a long time ago -- now he was just bitter. how many years had he spent following their demands? those greedy hands and lips that felt like they branded his skin with their touch? how many years had he hated what he became? what they turned him into? that pretty little puppet? and this was his reward -- a death sentence. shots are swiftly knocked back and then he's gone as soon as he's able, disappearing into the gardens outside, ignoring those who wanted his time even more now -- made all the more desirable with that score latched to him. but one person persists, follows him outside and he is ready to snap on whoever it was -- (what more can they do?) -- only to freeze when he catches sight of those familiar blue eyes. "come to check on your favorite victor, darling?" there's another one of those laughs -- coming from somewhere even dante doesn't know. that previous bitterness is nowhere to be found -- he could never direct it at kaleb. "hope you didn't gamble too much on me -- hate to think of how much you'll lose when i--" he's fraying at the edges, trying to keep ahold of himself but he slips further and further away. "--works out for atlas though, doesn't it? he won't have to spend as much as he thought."

[riiseandfall]

@rebellicnrising

the gymnasium brought back memories. it had been almost twenty years since he had a real reason to set foot in it, a tribute who had volunteered for his games far too early. the rule-breaker who didn't belong. fast forward a week and he proved how wrong half of that statement was.

if he had known how high the price had been--would he have still gone through with it? would damon be alive if he hadn't? would darius be safe if he hadn't?

almost as soon as he thinks them, those thoughts are shoved right back to some dark corner of his mind. he glances at the peacekeepers that stand at an exit, debating finding a way to sneak past them when he spots kaleb--and his attention shifts rather quickly. "well, well, well, slumming it, are we, hieronymus?" he grins, "i don't think sponsors are supposed to be on this floor."

[riiseandfall]

∗ 5o﹕ sender rests their forehead against receiver’s . ( kaleb x dante )

@rebellicnrising

they had been laying in bed for the better part of twenty minutes, both awake just...postponing actually leaving, playfully coming up with any excuse to stay right where they were. 'i'm not moving until you move.' 'well i'm not moving because i happen to be pretty comfortable right now so you move.' 'oh yeah? how comfortable?' 'comfortable enough not to move, i just said that.'

it doesn't set off any alarms when kaleb laughs--something that's quiet and rumbles, still tinged with sleep--and a smile makes its way onto dante's face. not a grin or a smirk, something that's soft, far softer than he meant for it to be. it doesn't set off any alarms when kaleb's hand moves to rest against the side of dante's neck, causing his heart to sputter in his chest as a thumb traces against his adam's apple. but when kaleb leans forward, gently pressing their foreheads together? when dante's eyes grow slightly wider as he scans the other man's face---memorizing each minute detail to his memory? (as if you didn't already know him by heart.) when dante moves to brush dark curls away from kaleb's forehead with a tenderness that he had almost forgotten his hands were capable of? when he leans forward just a fraction of an inch and whispers, "i wish i--" could stay here forever. just like this.

that is when the alarm goes off.

they had a rule. set in place years ago, four simple words and yet they bound themselves to it. don't fall in love. it isn't now that dante realizes he was falling, it's now that he realizes he's already hit the ground. (always the rulebreaker, aren't you?)

it feels like an act of god to tear his eyes away from kaleb's, inhaling sharply as he turns, moves to sit up, a hand running down his face as those thoughts--those feelings--get shoved into some dark corner of his mind. "i, uh, wish i didn't have plans today. some peacekeeper captain just found and captured a whole group of rebels over in ten. got a promotion out of it so..." the capitol had their gifts for those who served them well. he turns back to kaleb, the mask firmly back up as he leans forward to press a kiss against his lips--but he's hesitant, lingers a second too long. "i--" (i'm sorry i broke our rule.) but he can't manage to say it, just taps kaleb's cheek, shooting him that smirk he so often wore. "--i'll see you around, darling."